Portal:Scientology/Intro

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Scientology is a body of beliefs and related practices created by American pulp fiction author L. Ron Hubbard in 1952 as an outgrowth of his earlier self-help system, Dianetics. Hubbard later characterized Scientology as an "applied religious philosophy" and the basis for a new religion. The body of beliefs and related techniques of Scientology not only encompasses a spiritual rehabilitation philosophy and techniques but it also covers topics such as morals, ethics, detoxification, education and management. The first Church of Scientology was founded in 1953 in Washington, DC.

Today the total body of beliefs and practices of Dianetics and Scientology are the sole property of the Church of Spiritual Technology that forms part of a network of churches and organizations that promote the use of Dianetics, Scientology and related techniques. Other organizations that promote the use of Scientology’s related techniques are the World Institute of Scientology Enterprises and the Association for Better Living and Education. Scientology and the organizations that promote it have remained highly controversial since their inception.